The Dreamcast launched in Europe 10 years ago today

Was it really that long ago? Yes, Sega's Dreamcast console launched in Europe on October 14th 1999. The first console to include a built in modem, the Dreamcast was arguably way ahead of its time. You probably know what happened next but essentially the console was squeezed out by the impending launch of Playstation 2 - this was when Playstation was THE gaming brand remember - and subsequent lack of support from EA. But let's have no sadness or regret here, instead let's have your finest Dreamcast memories.

For me the Dreamcast will always be special. I'd only started writing about games a few months before and the Dreamcast was the first console launch I covered. I remember getting the EU console a few weeks before launch, firing up Sonic and thinking that the Dreamcast was the future of gaming. Blame youthful excitement for that one but the DC did at least get one thing right - online. For me the Dreamcast will forever be associated with Phantasy Star Online. The online RPG was, frankly, amazing for its time. Yes Everquest and the like had gained an audience on the PC but PSO on the Dreamcast was playing with your friends - seeing their avatars on the TV with their speech bubbles was amazing enough - while sitting on the couch. Laughable now, but in 2000 this all felt like a huge step forward. This was back in the dialup internet access days which meant it cost a ton to play and locked up the phone while doing so. But the expense and hassle were all worth it.

Dreamcast then - did you have one? What memories do you have of the console? Did you buy it on launch day ten years ago?